In his first press conference since being traded to the Philadelphia 76ers from the Brooklyn Nets last week, superstar guard James Harden told reporters on Tuesday that he's longed viewed his new team as a "perfect fit." Harden also revealed that Philadelphia -- not Brooklyn -- was his desired destination when he requested a trade from the Houston Rockets during the 2020-21 season.
The blockbuster deal for Harden -- which was completed before the league's trade deadline last Thursday -- also included disgruntled guard Ben Simmons, who refused to play for the Sixers this season due to trade demands that had largely centered around hurt feelings. At its core, two players have drastically reshaped a pair of championship-caliber rosters and the East playoff picture.
"You go to the lengths you went to, to force your way out of Houston -- just finish the job. Force your way all the way to Philly," Maggie Gray said during the Maggie and Perloff show on Tuesday. "Instead, he treats Brooklyn and Durant and Kyrie like it's some kind of consolation prize. His heart was never in it. The focus was obviously never there. He was never genuine about his intentions when it comes to Brooklyn. I feel terrible for Durant, he got duped."
"Durant didn't get played at all, not even for a second. He created this play. He's the playwright," Andrew Perloff said. "And he chose wrong, bringing in Harden, if that was his choice. History repeats itself. Kyrie blew off Boston and everyone thought his behavior would improve. It didn't. Harden blew off Houston, then quit in the game against the Kings. Guess what, he's going to quit again. It's all going to happen again..."
Maggie and Perloff's complete thoughts on the blockbuster Nets-Sixers deal can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the Maggie and Perloff Show on Twitter @MaggieandPerl and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.